The Cincinnati Reds have gotten hot at the perfect time and are well within the playoff hunt as we approach July.
Cincinnati is middle of the pack in just about every offensive category but could vastly improve with corner infield additions at the trade deadline.
The Reds have a very solid pitching staff, which will allow Cincinnati to focus on offensive upgrades.
R.J. Anderson of CBS Sports ranked his top 25 trade chips and where they might land. The Reds were named a potential landing spot for a slugging All-Star first baseman on an expiring contract.
Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Josh Naylor would be a great fit in Cincinnati and boost their playoff chances.
Naylor, 28, is putting together another All-Star caliber campaign in his first season with Arizona. Naylor has 10 home runs and 53 RBI while slashing .304/.359/.474 in 77 games.
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“He provides plenty of contact and power against right-handed pitching, and he’s chosen an opportune time (i.e. his walk year) to enjoy what might go down as a career-best season,” wrote Anderson. “If the D-backs sell, he makes as much sense to go as anyone.”
Naylor isn’t the greatest fielder, but he is serviceable. The Reds need a power-bat in the middle of the lineup for a postseason run and Naylor fits that bill.
At 44-40, the Reds are five games behind the Chicago Cubs for first place in the National League Central and just two-and-a-half games back from the third NL Wild Card spot.
More MLB: Reds-Diamondbacks trade idea sends former All-Star slugger back to Cincinnati
